pflasterer



` Jan. 9, 1945. G. RPFLIASTERER A 2,366,802`

RAILWAY SIGNALING vFiled Feb. 12, 1943 2 SheetS-Sheet l HIS ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1945. G. R. PFLASTERER RAILWAY SIGNLING Filed Feb. 12, 1943 2 shetssheet 2 Rm www md o mim y? mm H, ma w E SMNN Patented Jan. 1945 N UNITED STATES ,:aPATENr [OFFICE t RAILWAY SIGNALING i George R. Pflasterer, Greenville, Pa`.,ras`s`ignor'to t The Union Switch and SignalI Company, Swissvale,`1?a., a corporation of Pennsylvania M Application Februaryiz, 1943, serial 1516.475595 s Claims. rotaie-1mb` t My invention relates to railway signaling, and particularly to signaling for the control of traffic movements alongintersecting tracks. `More specically, my invention relates to time element means, for preventing a change of route in the event of a momentary loss of shunt, and for at other times manually elfecting a change of route.

In an arrangement which waspreviously provided, an electrically operable device, such for example, as athermal relay, becomes energized automatically, for preventing a change of route, in the event of a momentary loss of shunt `while a train is approaching a signal which governs traic movements 4across anintersection of two tracks. A separate time element device, such for example, as a clockwise time release, was provided for at `times manually effecting a change of route. t

One feature of my invention is the provision of means for at times controlling manually, for effecting a change of route, the same time element` devices as are controlled automatically `for preventing a change of route in the event of a momentary` loss of shunt. I

` I shall describe one form of apparatus em` bcdying my invention, and shall then point ou the novel features thereof in claims-I contact 2li-25," adjacent the symbol for.

relay II-I in the upper left-hand portion of Fig.

lB, is identied byuthe number 25 separated by a I dash from `the prefix 2P which `is the reference character for relay 2P -by which this contact isI way tracks are designated bythe referencechar- II actors X and` Z, and are divided into sections by In the accompanying drawings, FigsjlA to 1F, I

inclusive, are diagrammatic views showing one form of apparatus'embodying my invention, in which Fig. 1A shows two intersecting railway tracks with two signals for each track, one on Yeach side of the intersection, for governing trailic movements in opposite directions over the intersection; Fig. 1B shows energizing circuits for signal control relays; Fig. 1C shows control circuits for signal repeater stick relays, one for each signal; Fig. 1D shows control circuits for thermal time element devices, one for each signal; Fig.` 1E shows control circuits for manual control stick relays, onefor each track; and Fig. IlF shows control circuits for directional Istick relays, one for eachItrack. I I

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

; In each of the views, the contacts operated by f the various relays or `other devices are identified by numbers, such'numbers having distinguishin'g prexes from` which they are separated` by aIdash when the contacts are shown apart from the relay or other device `by which they are operated. The prex for each of these Contact` numbers comprises the reference character` for the respective relay or other device by which the associated contact is` operated. For example,

insulated joints 5. TrackX is divided into sections AIT, IT and AZT, and track ZIis divided into sectionsAT, 3T andAIlT. A track battery IS` is4 connectedacrossthe rails adjacent one end of each section, and a trackrelay designated by a reference character whichis the same as the reference character for the associated track section except that it includes the letter R instead of theIletter T, is connected `acrossthe rails adjacent the opposite end of `each section. `'Track sections IAI T, A2T, A3T and AIIT will be referred to as approach sections, and sections IT and `3T will be referred to ascrossing track sections.

Signals designated by the reference characters l anclkz,` are located adjacent the ends of track section IT for governing traflic movements in op-` posite `directions on track X across the intersection Vof the two tracks.

Signals designated by the reference characters 3 and 4 are located adjacent the ends of track section 3T for governing tracmoyements in opposite directions on track Z across the intersection ofthe two tracks. l As here shown, each of `these signals is of the 1 X and Z are in the eastbound direction, and that respectively. I t. In Fig. `1D,-circuits are shown Ifor` energizing timeelement devices fIE, 2E, 3E and 4E forsigtrafc movements toward the left, as shown in the drawings, are inthewestbound direction.

Referring now ,to Fig. 1B, circuits` are here shown for energizing signal control relays IH, 2H, 3H and 4H for signals l, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. In Fig. 1C, pick-up and stick circuits are t `shown for energizing signal repeater` stick relays IP, IZP, 3P and 4P for signals I, 2, 3, `and `4,

nals I, 2, 3 and `Il, respectively. As here'shown, time element devices E areof the thermal type, but may be of any other suitable design.`

' In Fig. 1E, pick-up and stick circuits are shown for energizing manual control Istick relays IUS and SUS for tracks IXI and lZ, respectively,

4H, IS and 3S, and time element devices IE, 2E,

3E and 4E are deenergized.

With relay IH deenergized, the circuit by which lamp R of signal I is lighted'passes from terminal B of a suitable source of current, through the back point of contact I H-T, and lamp R of signal I to terminal of the same source of current. Lamp R of each of the other signals is lighted by a circuit which is similar to the circuit shown for lamp R of signal I, and is there;- fore not shown in the drawings.`

Relay IP, shown in Fig. 1C, is energized by a' stick circuit passing from terminal B, through contact IH--8, contact 9 of relay IP, and the winding of relay IP to terminal D. Each of the relays 2P, 3P and 4P is energized by a stick circuit which is similar to the stick circuit justv traced for relay IP, and will therefore be readily understood.

Relay IUSis energized by tWo stick circuits, one of which passes from terminal B, through contact IU--I0, contact' I3 of relay IUS, and the winding of relay IUS to terminali); The other stick circuit passes from terminal B, through contacts' 3P-II and 4P-I2, contact I3 of relay IUS, and the winding of relay IUS `to terminal 0.

I shall assume that an eastbound train on track X enters section AIT, deenerglzing track relay AIR. Relay IH will therefore be energizedv by a circuit passing from terminal B, through contacts IR-I5, vSRP-I6, iE-I1, 3E-I8, IiP-I9,

' corne energized by a pick-up circuit passing from AZR-23, back point of Contact AIR-24, contact 2P-25 and the winding of relay IH to terminal l). With relayY IH energized, the circuit previously traced for lam-p R of signal i Will be opened at the back pointl of contact `II-l-l, and lamp Grof this signal will be light'edby a circuit passing from terminal B, through the front-point of contact Irl-Jl, and lamp G to terminali).` With relay lH energized, the stick circuit traced for relay IP Will be opened at contact IH-8, causing relay IP to become deenergized. With relay IP deenergized, a pick-up circuit for relay IUS Will be completed, passing from terminal B, through contact 513-23, and the winding of relay IUS to 4 terminal 0. There will be no change in the condition of relay IUS, however, since it is already energized by its stick circuits previously traced. With relay IP deenergized, one of the stick circuits fcr relay 3US will be opened at contact iP-I i, but relay SUS willrem'ain energized by AIR-2l and IR-28, and the Winding Vof relay IP to terminal Relay IP, upon becoming energized, opens the pick-up circuit previously traced for relay iUS through contact IP-26, but relay IUS will remain energized by its stick circuits.

With relay IP now energized, relay IS will beterminal B, through contact 29 of push button circuit controller IU, contacts IP-3,' 'ZP-3|, and !R-32, and the winding of relay IS to terminal B.

When the train enters section AZT, a stick circuit Will be completed for relay IS after the train has left section AIT,y passing from terminal B,

. through contact 29 of circuit controller IU, back point of contact AZR- 33, front point of contact AIR-3d, contact 35 of relay IS, and the Winding of relay IS to terminal 0.

When the train leaves section IT, the pick-up circuit traced for relay EP will be opened at contact IR-28, but relay IP will remain energized by its stick circuit previously traced. While the train is receding through: sectionAZT, relay IS will be retained in the energized conditionby its stick circuit previously traced, and therefore the energizing circuit` for relay 2H Will be open at contact lS-22, which prevents relay 2H from becoming energized' for clearing signal 2.

vWhen .the train leavessection AZT, the stick circuit traced for relay IS will become opened at the backpoint of contactA2R/-33, and hence relay IS will become deenergized. This Will com plete the return of all parts of they apparatus to the normal condition.

I shall again assume that an eastbound train enters section AIT, effecting' the energization of relay IH, as previously described, which thenre sults in the lighting of lamp G of signal I as before. I shall further assume that, beforethe train reaches signal I, a momentary loss of shunt occurs in approach track section AIT, so that relay AIR becomes momentarily energized. With relay EH thus deenergized signal I will again be controlled to display the red or stop indication. Relay IP will not, however, become energized by its ypick-up circuit since contact IR-28 is now open. With relay IP deenergized, the circuit for relay 2H Will be open at contact IP-liS, and the circuits `for relays 3H and 4H will be open at contact IP-ll, and hence none of these other signals can be operated to the proceed condition. An energizing circuit for relay` IE is -now closed, passing. from terminal B, through contacts AIR-36 and IP--3B, and time element device IE toA terminal Upon the termination of the momentary loss of shunt before time element device IE has had time to close its front contact, relay IH Will again become energized by its circuit previously traced, causing signal I to again display the green or proceed indication.

I shall again assume that an eastbound train enters-section AIT, effecting the lighting of lamp G of signal I as before, but that the train stops before reaching signal I, for some reason. Ishall further assume that it is then decided tor permit an eastbound train, which has now arrived von section A3T of track Z, to proceed over the crossing before the train on track X.

A trainman Will therefore depress push button circuit controller 3U, thereby openingV contact 3Uliy in one of the'stick circuits for relay BUS, causing relay SUS to become deenergized since the other stick circuit for relay SUS is at this time open at Contact IP--II. With relay SUS deenergized, "the circuit traced. for relay IH will now be closed, passing from yterminal `B, through cbntacts SUSA-31 and IP-38, and timeelementv Y b'efopen'ed at contact 3US-2I, causingfrelay AIHA to' beccniedeenerg'ized, and thus causing signal] toi again `display tl'iefstopindication.` lA` second;

' energizing circuit for time element device l IlE will;

l, of a momentary loss.` of shunt in an'tapproach'v f track sectiomto enforce a time interval, after' a' device IE to terminal Il. Time element device `IE,\.4 uponclosing its `front contact, completes a secjI ond pick-up circuit for relay IP, passing fromfter` minal B, through contacts IH- 8 and IBI-39, and the `winding of relay Il'rto terminali). Relay IP, lupon `becoming energized, opens the energiz. ingjcircuit fori relay TIE at contact IP-38, causing time elementxdeviceilIE tosbecome deenergized.

Asl soon as 'time element device IE has `cooled suinciently for its back `contact to closey a circuit .3S- 45,1 front point of contact AllRIIS, back lmy` invention,. it is understood that various..

train backs out of` an approach track l section, beforea signal for a different route can becleared,

and to effect a change in route if, after a signal `has been cleared `for one track, it is desiredito.

return that signal to stop before a train passes it, and then permit a signal to clear `for theother` track.v u

only Aone form `of railway 'signaling embodying changesqand modifications may be `made therein withinthescope of the appended claims without f `1:5 departing from the spirit and` scope of myfin-L i vention.

Winding ofirelay SHlto terminal 0. Relay, 3H;

`upon `becoming energized, extinguishes the redl lamp of signal 3 and effects `the lighting of green lam-p vG-of signal 3. The operation of the ap-l scribed for the'movementof a train over track X;

`paratus for track Z as the train `proceeds will new be similar to the operation previously de# When the` train leaves section "3T, relay 3R Will'.

become energized, permitting relay IH to again become energized, and signal I to again be operated `to the proceed indication.

l I` shall now assume again that a train on track Xenters section AIT, after the return of all parts of `therapparatus to thenormalcondition, causg. ing signal I to display `theproceed indicationl `I shallturther assume that the train then stops and reverses its movement, backingout of section AIT. Time `element device IE will then be energized 'by a circuit passingf from terminal 1?,` through contacts AIR-36 and IP-38, andtime element deviceln to terminal `n. with time-ele;

; `ment device IE energized, relay `IPrvvillbecom'e energized by its second pick-np4 circuit previously traced.` With relay IP energized, time element de.;-` vice IE will become deenergized because contact IFJ-38 will be open in thezenergizing circuit for timeelement device: IE;` Theapparatus is there I shall nowagain assume that an` eastbound trainfon track X enters section AIT, `causing sig,-

by restored to its normal condition. c

` nal I to display the proceed indication, and that` thetrain then proceeds over the intersection, but that after passing signal 2 it is decided to reverse thedirection of traffic movementrand hence the train` stops in section A2T. In order toclear sig--` nal 2, `a trainman will depress push button IU,

thereby opening `its contact 29,:and breakinglthe` stick'circuit previouslytraced for relay IS.. Relay IS will therefore be deenergized, and a circuit will now be completed for energizing relay 2H Havlng thus `described my invention, what I` i 1. `In controlmeans for railwaysignaling for two intersecting railway tracks, includingaisignal for each of said tracks each normally displaying `a stop indicationand each also capable of dise` playing a'second indication for directing `traiiic movements across `the intersection of said tracks,

the combination comprising, a normally energized repeater `stick `relay"` for each of` said signals, a

time elementdevice for each of said signals, a normally energized manually controllable stickrelay for eachof said tracks, automatic means for controlling each of said `signals to display its second indication when al train on its track approaching the intersection arrives at a given distance from the signal `if the repeater stick relay for the other signal and the manually controllable stickrelay for the other track are energized, means for ide-v energizing each of saidrepeater stick relays if its signal is controlled to display the second indica-Y tion, manual means for deenergizing thernan` n. uallycontrollable stick relayfor eachoi said; tracks `only if thesignalfor the other track `is` controlled to ,display the second indication, apickup circuitfor each of said manually controllable -stick relays controlled by a back` contact of the repeaterstick relay for the signal for its track, an f energizing circuit foreach of said time element devices closed if the repeater stick relay for its 1 own signal is deenergized and if a back contact of; the manually controllable `stick relay. `for the other track is closed, andmeans controlled by energization of eachof said time element devices for energizing the repeater stick relay for Iits signal. n 2. In control means for `railway signaling for two intersecting "railway tracks, includinga signal for each of said tracks each normally displaying a stop indication and each alscgcapable of clis-` playing a secondindication for directing traffic l movements acrossthe intersectionofsaid tracks, the combination comprising, a normally `energized n time element device for each of said s1gnals, aui which is the same aswthe circuit previously traced for relay IH as far as contactIS-f-ZZ, and` thenl passes through l `the front point i of` `contact AIR-24, back point otcontact A2Rf23, contact IP-.49, andthe winding of relay 2H to terminal D. Relay 2H will then effect the lighting of lamp G of signal l, similarly to the manner described in which` relay IH eiects the lighting of lamp G ofsignall.` n n I.,

Fromthe foregoing description and theaccoml pany' drawings, it' follows that in apparatusV ern]- repeater stick relay for each of said signals, a

tomaticmeans for controlling each "of lsaid signals to display its second indication whena train approaching the intersection arrives at` a given distance `from the signal if the repeater stick relay `for the `other signal is energized, means for deenergizing each of said repeater stick` relays if` bodying my invention `for railwayysignaling for intersecting tracks, the same time element device is Lused to preventachange of route in the event its signal is `controlled todisplay thesecond indication, manually controllable means for each of `said signals forinitiating return of `its signal to v the stop indication and for` effecting energizationV of the time element device for its signal only if the repeater stick relay for its signal isndeen'- ergized,and means responsive to each of saidf time element devices ,'after` hecomfmg energized,

Although I `have herein` shown and described fer: energizing'fthe. repeater stick; relay forv its-` signal:

6; vIncontrol means for, railwayl signaling for two:intersecting'railway tracks, including a signal for-.each of. said' tracks each normally displayinga stop-indication and each also capable-of display:- ing., aisecondindication for directing trafc movementsfacrossthe intersection` of said tracks, the

combination comprising, a normally energizedy repeater" stick relay for each ofl said signals, a time element device foreach of said'signals, automaticmeans for controlling each of said signals to'display its second indication when a train appreaching theintersection arrives, at a givendis-y tance from the signal if the repeater stick relay for the other signal is energized, means for deenergizing each of said` repeater stick relays if its signal is controlled to display the second indii cation, a normally closed manually'controllable contact for each o fsaid'tracks each ofl whichupon becoming opened initiates return of the sig'- nal for-the other track to the stop indication, a traflicresponsive contact for each of said signals each ,closed only if there is no approaching train.

within the given distance from its signal, a rst and a second circuit for energizing each of said time` element devices each controlled by a back contact ofl the repeater stick relay for thecorresponding signal and the first circuit also controlled. by the trafc responsive contact for thev same signal and the second circuit also controlledV tobecome closed only if themanually controllable contact. for. the other trackbecomes opened, and

means responsive to each of said timeV element devices after becoming. energized for energizing the repeater stick relay for its signal.

4i. Incontrol meansl` for railway signaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a signal foreach of said tracks each normally displaying a stop indication and each also capable of displaying@l second indication for-directing traffic movements across the intersection of said tracks,

the .combination comprising, a normally energized` repeater stick relay for each of; said signals, a time element device for each, of. said signals, a manually controllable stick relay for each of said tracks, a normally closed manually co-ntrollable contactl for eachr of saidmanually controllable stickrelays, a pick-up circuit for each of said manually controllable stick relays controlled by a.

back Contact of the repeater stick relay for the signalfor the associated track, a stick circuit for each oi said manually controllable stick relays controlled byits manually controllable contact,-

automatic means for controlling each of said sig-, nals to display its second indication when a train` approaching the intersection arrives at a given distance` from thesignal if the repeater stick relay for the other signal and the manually controllable stick relay for the other track are energized, means for'deenergizing each of saidl repeater stickl relaysif its signal is controlled to display the second indication, an energizing circuit` for each of saidvtime element devices controlled by a back contact of` the manually con-vv trollable stick relay for the other track, and means controlled by energization of each of said time element devices for energizing the repeater stick relay for itssignal.

5. In control means for railway signaling forv two intersecting railway tracks, including asignal for each of said tracks each normally dis# playingfa stop indication and each also capable ofdisplaying a second indication for directing traffic movementsacross the intersection of said tracks, ,the combination comprising, `a normallyf closed repeater contactfor each of saidv signalsf each vof which becomes; opened if its; signal is; controlled to display the second indicatiom aut0= matic means. for each of. said signalsv responsive` tov an approaching train forcontrolling its signalV to display the second indication if thel repeater contact for the other signal is closed, a .time ele:- mentdevice foreach of said repeater contacts..

means'controlled by each of said time element.

devices after becoming energizedfor electing the closing of the corresponding repeater contactv after its signal is again controlled to indicate stop,

automatic means forenergizingeach of said time element devices if a train backs away from its signal, and manually controllable means forenergizing each of said time element devices-and'` for returning its signal to the stopV indication while atrain is'approaching'its signal.

6. In control meansf forV railway signaling for` two intersecting railway tracks, including a signalfor each of said tracks eachrnormally displaying a stop indication and each also capable of displaying a second indication for directingv traffic movements across the intersection of saidv tracks, the combination comprising, a normally closed repeater contact for each of said signals each of which becomes opened if its signal is con;- trolled to display the second indication, atime element device for each of said signals, automatic means for each of said signals responsive to an approaching train for controlling its'signaly tov display the second indicationV if the repeater contact for the other signal is closed?, meansconftrolled by eachV of said time elementdevices'after becoming energized for electingk the closing of the corresponding repeater contact afterV its sig:- nal is again `controlled to indicate stop, auto-v maticmeans for attimes energizingl eachof said.

timevelement devices if the, repeater contact for* its signal is open, and manually controllable means for at other times energizing each of said? timey element devices if the repeater ycontact-for to its signaly is open and for returning its signal the stop indication. v.

7. In. controlmeans for railway signaling forr two intersecting railway tracks, includingl two signals for, each ofsaid tracks one for each di rection each normally displaying a stoptindica.,v

tion and each also capable of vdisplaying asecond indication for directing traic movementsv across the intersection of said tracks, the `corn-- bination comprising, a directional stick relay for each of said tracks, a pick-up circuit for each l i of said directional stick relays closed only if both signals for its track are controlled to indicate stop and if its track is occupied by a train between the two signals for its track, stick circuit meansffor each of said directional stick relays for then retaining the corresponding relay energized while its track is occupied by a train refceding from the intersection within a given dis-` tance beyond one of the signals forits'track; andA means for controllingY each of said signals to dis signals, a pick-up circuit for each of said repeater stick relays closed only if its signal is controlled to indicate stop after a train has profceeded past its signal into the crossing track section for its signal, a stick circuit for each of said repeater stick relays for then retaining its stick i relay energized While its signal is controlled to indicate stop, a pick-up circuit for each of said directional stick relays controlled by front coni tacts of the, repeater stick relays for both signals for the corresponding track and closed only ifits l0 energized.

track is `occupied between its `two signals, stick circuit means for each of` said directional stick relays including a manually controlled normally closed contact for then retaining the corresponding directional stick relay energized while a train is receding within a given `distance from one of 1 its signals, and means for controlling each ol?` said signals to display the second indication only if the directional stick relayfor its track is de- 

